Editors Forum condemns BNPs arson violence, polls boycott

Bangladesh Sampadak Forum (Bangladesh Editors Forum) strongly condemned and protested the conspiracy of BNP-Jamaat in the name of boycotting the upcoming January 7 parliamentary elections.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Forums Chief Adviser journalist leader Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, convener Rafiqul Islam Ratan and member secretary Faruk Ahmed Talukder, said, "The people of the country have already rejected and resisted the terrorism and anarchy created by BNP-Jamaat and some of their like-minded parties in the name of boycotting and resisting the election since October 28."

Participation in elections or abstaining is the democratic right of any individual and party. But the attempt to foiling the election process and creating an unstable situation in the name of boycotting is completely illegal and an offence. The law enforcement agencies have been requested to take strict action against those.

In 2013-2015, the BNP-Jamaat alliance killed hundreds of people by burning them through arson terrorism with the aim of foiling the election. The people rejected their attempts with hatred and the election was held on time.

This time also, creating violence and sabotage, BNP-Jamaat will not be able to postpone the election and the election will be held in a fair manner, the statement added.

The statement also stated that countries and international organizations, including the United Nations, have called for holding the election in a free, fair and peaceful manner in Bangladesh.

They have been urged to keep a vigilant eye on the anti-election terrorism and sabotage created by BNP-Jamaat.